Between November 25 and December 8, 2012, the city hosted the III BNDES International Piano Competition of Rio de Janeiro, the largest competition of its kind in Brazil. Under supervision of pianist Lilian Barretto, the event gathered 16 selected pianists from 11 countries who competed for the R$ 215,000 in prizes. The winner Tamila Salimdjanova was awarded R$ 80,000 and perform concerts in Brazil, Europe and the USA. The sole contest sponsor is BNDES (National Bank for Economic and Social Development) in partnership with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra.

The 3rd. edition started with an opening concert on November 25 at Theatro Municipal, with guest pianist Sergio Tiempo. The Venezuelan performed with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra under the baton of maestro Roberto Tibiriçá. The program includes Arcos Sonoros da Catedral Anton Bruckner by Almeida Prado and Concertos for piano and orchestra by Ravel and Tchaikovsky.

Throughout November 26, 27, 30 and December 1 and 4, preliminary and semifinal rounds took place in the BNDES Theatre. The final round and the competition closing took place on December 8 at Theatro Municipal, when three finalists performed with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Ligia Amadio. Admission was free at all concerts and auditions.

The competition featured five events: Pre-selection, Preliminary Semifinals I and II, and Final rounds. In the Pre-selection round – consisting of the evaluation of DVDs forwarded by 91 candidates – the 16 pianists who took part in the Preliminary round were chosen. Following, eight pianists were selected for the Semifinal Rounds. Only three candidates was selected to the Final Round, and each one performed a Concerto for piano and orchestra.

Every edition of the competition pays tribute to a Brazilian composer and a Brazilian pianist. The 2012 edition honored pianist and composer Almeida Prado. His Cartas Celestes were performed by each of the eight semifinalists. In 2009, the honorees were Jacques Klein and Claudio Santoro. In 2010, the event paid tribute to Guiomar Novaes and Edino Krieger.

The winners were determined by a jury consisting of nine musicians of international recognition. The total prize pool was split into the following cathegories: R$ 80,000 for the first, R$ 55,000 for the second and R$ 35,000 for the third places, plus R$ 15,000 for the Best Performer of Brazilian Music, R$ 15,000 for the Almeida Prado Award, and, for the first time, a favorite candidate voted by the public whom was entitled to a R$ 15,000 prize.

The jury of the BNDES International Piano Competition featured renowed names from the international music scene. Frenchman Jean-Philippe Collard presides the jury, which also included pianists Antonio Pompa-Baldi, Francesco Libetta, Frank Levy, Gabriel Tacchino, Mikhail Voskresensky, Piotr Paleczny and Sergio Tiempo, plus Brazilian conductor Ligia Amadio.